For example,

If a client asked for something that precise, the whole family probably wouldn't be using it. For special requests your dealing with someone who obviously knows something about the equipment, I am quite confident anyone asking for such a "hihger Order" command would be able to remember where the button was programmed.

What happens if you can't find discrete codes, with a simple 12 volt or video sync the intellicontrol can tell the state. A 12 volt power supply costs less than 10$ and a composite Y adapter is less than 5$. I am not really sure what outragous costs for on off state you are referring to. Also I would love to see someone fill up an intellicontrol. I have programmed around 30-40 and have never had any problems with a space issue. I have done dual tv, multiiple zone, projector, 12 activated screens, everything, and have never had a problem. The one place the above mentioned remotes outdo the niles is button labeling, with yours you can create any button and with the niles you are limited to the ones they give. The only thing I have ever had to break into two pages is the sony TIVO lots of buttons.

and last but not least, I thought the original post was a question of opinion, I simply gave mine. Maybe you guys could write about what your opinion of your great remote can do instead of what mine can't do. I know that remote central revolves around the pronto and I am going to get slack for not promoting it, but I didn't know I would get attacked for stating an opinion. Also on the RF range, a little trick for the old style coax ant intellicontols (as opposed to the bnc style now) strip your coax as if to put an rg6 end on, but attach a single 16 gauge twisted (half of a speaker wire) to the copper core of the coax, and I think you will be supprised. I have gotten some working from neighbors houses (200-300 feet) I can't imagine needing any more than that.

I too, reccommend Russound. Easy, relatively inexpensive, and reliable. I don't use their speakers though....I use Niles HD's and OS's. If you choose Russound 6.4 system, get the LCD keypads...they are well worth it. You may want to get an extra amp for more power too. One drag is unlike Niles, they don't incorporate a tuner into their multi-channel amps. Big plus though for the IR sensors on the controllers.

Carter,

Most (all?) of my projects have the all the client's family members using the touchpanel. One particular client springs to mind, where the 4 year old son and the 81 father of the client both use the system. My client, the techie type, turns the system off with the screen streached for a DVD. Dad turns it on the next morning to watch MSNBC and his stock quotes have disappeared of the bottom of the screen. Since the Sony screen streach is a stepper function with no discretes, I can't reset the screen's aspect ratio at turn-on. Dad can't tell if Alcoa is going up or down that day, gets upset, and my phone rings. Or Junior turns on Cartoon network, Barney looks bigger and more threatening than he/it should, and Jr. cries. My phone rings again.

I try to set up remotes to control the system in a way where no one gets confused. At the same time, if I don't give the techie client the functions he knows he's paid for, I look lazy & unresponsive.

As for your "quite confident" assertion, well, OK. With all due repsect, it sounds like you do business in Nirvana. I work in Chicago. :-)

2 things, first thank-you for your recommendations concerning my previous thread about the Video problems I encured at a clients house. It was indeed a cable quality problem from the pole. I did enjoy seeing the "cableguy" freeze his a$% off when the client called the complany to fix it!

Second, any body who posts their ideas on ths forum better be ready to back them up. Remember we all have our comfort zones when it comes to product and our preferances. But I gotta agree with TW the intelly isn't that hot.

Trust me on this, every remote has its ups and downs. Status is always a good thing to have. We all know what happens when one piece of equipment does not receive IR in a series of commands. Then your customer, whether young or old is confused on what happened.

In response to the Intellicontrol question posted above and all the comments relating to "Higher Order" buttons and the ability to use this remote for "High-End" or custom jobs, The intellicontrol is perfect. The MCU is the truly important part, not the clunky table top box. The MCU will respond to IR commands as well as RF and Niles has available the IR equivalent of every button on the remote. The IR codes are even posted here in the Pronto section. We do exclusively High-End jobs and we use the intellicontrol a lot. Not only does it allow you to sync every component(The MCU knows when the VCR is "on" so it doesn't send the power command again), but the IR library is expandable, easy to modify and simply to program. The MCU has relays for screen or drape control and so far has been bullet proof. We typically start with programming the system to work flawlessly with the table top remote, including all macros, "higher order" buttons, and all the functions that a client could want. With a good size system, this usually takes about 2-4 hours including testing. We then take a Pronto or Pronto Pro and customize it to control the Intellicontrol. Here, we can give a client a "Ratio" button or assign channel macros. We can get as custom as we want. The MCU supports IR routing or will allow IR pass-thru. The biggest plus to this system is that once the syncs are done, the system and macros work perfectly every time, no exceptions, even with no discrete codes.

For ease and scalibility Crestron is the only way to go. And forget about the pre-conceived notiions that it's only for folks that have $$$ a base system with a decent amp will run the same price as a loaded russound